370 CHLORINE. 



Or in symbols : 6 Cl and 6 KO = KO, C1O 5 and 5KC1. Such 

 is the nature of the action of chlorine upon the soluble and 

 highly alkaline metallic oxides. 



The chlorate of barytes may be formed by transmitting 

 chlorine through caustic barytes in the same manner; and 

 from a solution of the pure chlorate of barytes, chloric acid 

 may be obtained by the cautious addition of sulphuric acid, so 

 long as it occasions a precipitate of sulphate of barytes. The 

 solution may be evaporated by a very gentle heat tillit becomes 

 a syrupy liquid, which has no odour, but a very acid taste, is 

 decomposed above 100, and when distilled at a still higher 

 temperature gives water, then a mixture of chlorine and oxygen 

 gases, and hyperchloric acid, which may be prepared in 

 this way without difficulty. Chloric like nitric acid, is not 

 isolable, being incapable of existing, except in combination with 

 water or a fixed base. This acid first reddens litmus paper, but 

 after a time the colour is bleached, and if the acid has been 

 highly concentrated, the paper often takes fire. It dissolves 

 zinc and iron with disengagement of hydrogen. Chloric acid is 

 decomposed by hydrochloric acid, with escape of chlorine, and by 

 most combustible bodies and acids of the lower degrees of oxida- 

 tion, such as sulphurous and phosphorous acids, which oxidate 

 themselves at its expense. 



This acid when free, or in combination, may be recognized by 

 several properties. It is not precipitated by chloride of barium 

 or nitrate of silver, and has no bleaching power ; sulphuric acid 

 causes the disengagement from it of a yellow gas, having a 

 peculiar odour, which bleaches strongly ; and its salts when 

 heated to redness afford oxygen, and deflagrate with combus- 

 tibles. 



Chlorates.' This class of salts is remarkable for a general 

 solubility, like the nitrates. Those of them which are fusible 

 detonate with extreme violence with combustibles. The chlorate 

 of potash, of which the preparation and properties will be de- 

 scribed under the salts of potash, has become a familiar chemi- 

 cal product, being largely consumed in the manufacture of defla- 

 grating mixtures. The chlorates were at one time termed 

 hyperoxymuriates, and their acid, the existence of which was 

 originally observed by Mr. Chenevix, was first obtained in a 

 separate state by Gay-Lussac. 



Hyperchloric acid, Cl O 7 . This acid, which is also called 



